A simple model for the interhemispheric coupling of the middle atmosphere circulation

The interhemispheric coupling of the middle atmosphere general circulation is characterized by a global anomaly pattern of the zonal-mean temperature. This pattern reflects an anomalous stratospheric and mesospheric residual circulation, in which a weaker (stronger) stratospheric winter circulation is linked to an upward (downward) shift of its upper mesospheric branch reaching from the summer to the winter pole. This phenomenon is robust in observational data and several middle atmosphere general circulation models. In the present study, the recently proposed mechanism of the interhemispheric coupling is unequivocally proven within the framework of a zonally symmetric model that excludes any additional effects due to resolved waves and non-zonally propagating gravity waves. Two simulations are conducted that differ in the strength of the polar vortex. A weaker polar vortex results in a downward shift of the winter mesospheric gravity wave drag. This leads to changes also in the summer upper mesosphere via a feedback solely between gravity wave breaking and the zonal-mean state. The accompanying temperature anomaly reproduces the pattern of the interhemispheric coupling.     

Additional historical solid rocket motor burns

The use of orbital solid rocket motors (SRM) is responsible for the release of a high number of slag and Al₂O₃ dust particles which contribute to the space debris environment. This contribution has been modeled for the ESA space debris model MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference). The current model version, MASTER-2005, is based on the simulation of 1076 orbital SRM firings which mainly contributed to the long-term debris environment. SRM firings on very low earth orbits which produce only short living particles are not considered. A comparison of the modeled flux with impact data from returned surfaces shows that the shape and quantity of the modeled SRM dust distribution matches that of recent Hubble Space Telescope (HST) solar array measurements very well. However, the absolute flux level for dust is under-predicted for some of the analyzed Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) surfaces. This indicates that some past SRM firings are not included in the current event database. Thus it is necessary to investigate, if additional historical SRM burns, like the retro-burn of low orbiting re-entry capsules, may be responsible for these dust impacts. The most suitable candidates for these firings are the large number of SRM retro-burns of return capsules. This paper focuses on the SRM retro-burns of Russian photoreconnaissance satellites, which were used in high numbers during the time of the LDEF mission. It is discussed which types of satellites and motors may have been responsible for this historical contribution. Altogether, 870 additional SRM retro-burns have been identified. An important task is the identification of such missions to complete the current event data base. Different types of motors have been used to de-orbit both large satellites and small film return capsules. The results of simulation runs are presented.